A makeover bash

"The more minimal the art, the more maximum the explanation."–Hilton Kramer

It was an evening to remember at the Federal Design Expo when this lifestyle and home furnishing store recently held its first Designer’s Challenge. The event showcased the skills of the store’s in-house designers Rose Ledesma and Issa Mañago, as they transformed the old bedroom of pre-school teacher Margaux Dizon into a stylish and elegant den.

The party was hosted by my fellow host on Look Who’s Talking and popular fashionista Tessa Prieto-Valdes, (watch Tessa on Mondays, 10 p.m. on Channel 5) who enlivened the place with her bubbly personality. The guest list was composed of social icons, interior designers and valued customers of the furnishing store. As delectable cocktails and fine wines were served, everyone watched a VTR of how the store’s talented interior designers transformed a dreary and cramped bedroom into a room fit for a hotel. Then Tessa led a question-and-answer portion about the room makeover, where those with the correct answers had a chance to win raffle prizes. The main prize of a room makeover worth P50,000 was won by Pia Marie Traje. Other prizes included an overnight stay in a one-bedroom suite with buffet breakfast for two at Astoria Plaza and a lunch buffet for two at Astoria Plaza Café.

Congratulations to Federal Design Expo’s talented young interior designers!

A Danish Touch In Sacred Heart

From the land of master storyteller Hans Christian Andersen, two Danish college students are currently undertaking their practicum at the Sacred Heart Academy schools in Novaliches and Pasig City. Both 22-year-old Danish colegialas, Marie Louise Kathrine Aasborg Martekilde and Marie Isabel Valentin Pedersen are taking up an interdisciplinary course called Paedagog, which covers social work, child education and psychology. They were recommended to the Philippines by their guidance counselor, who was a distant relative of Jojo Zabarte, the lady honcho of SHA schools. The two ladies were very impressed with the discipline shown by the well-behaved students. "We need the kind of discipline that your educational system is using," said Marie Louise.

Keep up the good work!

Greetings

Happy birthday to our celebrators today, Ali Bsaies, Celia Diaz-Laurel, Inno Sotto and Century Park Hotel F & B director Angel Yatco.

Advance birthday greetings to Angie Magbanua, Yvonne Hilario, Glenda Baretto, Jerry Barican and Mary Jane Ortega, May 30; Budji Layug, May 31; Mandy Eduque, Panfilo Domingo, Eva Abesamis and former Sen. Loi Ejercito Estrada, June 1; Ramon "RJ" Jacinto and Cecille Macam Perlas, June 3; Maribel Carag Dario and Don Francisco Delgado, June 4.

Belated birthday greetings to Look Who’s Talking director Bert de Leon yesterday.

Happy wedding anniversary to Jong and Amy Godinez Cuenco. May you both have many more years of wedded bliss.

So, how was your week?

(For comments and inquiries, please e-mail me at jjlitton@indanet.com)